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37 °F Forecast | Road Cams Thursday, December 16, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Menu Guide How To Guide Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Passport to the Rogue Valley EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend June 1, 2004 Teenage work crew constructs community garden in Phoenix By ANITA BURKE Mail Tribune PHOENIX — A group of teens has transformed a weedy patch of ground near Bear Creek into a community garden. To a corner of undeveloped Blue Heron Park, they added loads of topsoil, irrigation pipes, a hand-split deer fence and a brightly colored garden shed. They planted a garden to attract butterflies and one to entertain children. They mapped out plots and built raised beds that are now ready for community members to rent to grow organic vegetables and flowers. Two Southern Oregon Educational Service District teachers — Mary Foster, who teaches at the Jackson County youth shelter, and Cindy Cameron, who guides developmentally disabled students at Phoenix High School from school to work — spearheaded the project. Foster, who has worked with students to start several schoolyard garden and greenhouse projects, got a $5,000 grant from the Carpenter Foundation to create a community garden. She wanted the garden to serve people who didn’t have room for plants at home, particularly Hispanic families. Advertisement She initially planned the garden at Medford’s Santo Center, but when that didn’t pan out, she took her idea to the city of Phoenix. Officials there gave her the go-ahead. Early this year, students and volunteers started clearing weeds and bringing in soil. "It’s fun. There was a lot of digging," said Riley, a 16-year-old Phoenix student who likes to ride his bike to the garden to water plants. "My whole goal is community involvement for the kids from the work-experience program," his teacher Cameron said. "The response has been fantastic," Foster said. "Kids want a chance to give back." Justin, a 17-year-old at the shelter, said he had never gardened before, but he liked seeing his work shape the community garden. People who want to rent a plot can call Foster at 535-6840 or 482-5283 or Cameron at 941-6512. Still available are 11 plots that measure 20 feet by 20 feet and two raised beds suitable for elderly or handicapped gardeners, Foster said. People can use their plots through October for $30 or keep them year-round for $50. The fees pay for water use. Other developments at Blue Heron Park, including a playground, restrooms, tennis and basketball courts and picnic areas, likely will get under way within a year. The city has received a grant and set aside money in its budget. Service clubs also plan to help. A section of the Bear Creek Greenway will run through the area. Reach reporter Anita Burke at 776-4485, or e-mail [email protected] . Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities